The iconic V8 engine is no longer the top choice for American pickup buyers. For the first time in decades, six-cylinder engines have overtaken V8s in full-size pickup sales, signaling a major shift in consumer preference and industry strategy. 

According to data from S&P Global Mobility, V8-powered pickups made up 64.6% of half-ton truck registrations in 2020. By 2024, that figure plummeted to just 38%, while six-cylinder pickups jumped from 32.8% to 47.6%. Even more surprising, four-cylinder engines accounted for 11.5% of the market last year-an unthinkable number not long ago. 

Automaker Strategy and Engine Evolution The transformation is largely driven by the engine options manufacturers now offer. Toyota's Tundra no longer offers a V8; instead, it uses a twin-turbo V6, available with or without hybrid assistance. Ram briefly dropped the Hemi V8 in favor of its new 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six. Although the Hemi is making a return, it will represent a small slice of Ram's engine portfolio during the initial ramp-up.

Ford, meanwhile, rebranded its V6 EcoBoost engines as premium options over a decade ago. Its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 makes 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, exceeding the output of Ford's 5.0-liter V8 in torque and matching it in horsepower. The PowerBoost hybrid and 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 also contribute to Ford's V6-heavy sales mix.

General Motors remains the most committed to the V8, offering 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter options that power about half of all Silverado 1500s sold. Yet, GM's 2.7-liter TurboMax four-cylinder has surged in popularity, now accounting for 36% of Silverado sales, just behind the 5.3-liter V8. 

What the Experts Say "Today's V6 and four-cylinder engines are much stronger than their predecessors," explained Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at S&P Global. "For instance, Ram's Hurricane inline-six engines deliver better fuel efficiency and more power than the older 5.7-liter Hemi V8."

 The numbers back it up. The Hemi V8 produces 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, while the standard-output Hurricane delivers 420 hp and 469 lb-ft. The high-output version goes even further, offering 540 hp and 521 lb-ft.

Still, the V8 isn't extinct. Brinley notes that roughly 530,000 V8-equipped trucks will be registered in 2024, and many buyers still prefer the simplicity and character of a V8. But brand loyalty and engine choice are key-something Ram learned the hard way.Ram Reverses Course-But Is It Too Late? When Ram announced the return of the Hemi, CEO Tim Kuniskis admitted the brand misread the market. "We screwed up when we dropped the Hemi. We own it and we fixed it," he said. 

Projections suggest the V8 may represent 20-25% of Ram 1500 production initially, potentially rising to 40% over time. Yet, other automakers are unlikely to reverse course. 

As Sam Abuelsamid, VP of market research at Telemetry Agency, explained: "I don't think the return of the Hemi is going to shift the market. Automakers aren't changing direction over this." 

 The Future of Pickup Powertrains With stricter emissions regulations and a push toward electrification, automakers are heavily invested in high-output V6s and hybrids. 

They're not just smaller-they're more efficient and powerful, often outperforming legacy V8s. The performance gap has closed, and buyers increasingly value fuel economy, torque, and reliability over cylinder count. So, while the V8 will likely remain an option for loyalists, the market has already moved on. Today's V6 and even four-cylinder engines are America's new pickup powerhouses-and they're here to stay.